Indians Trade Talk: What Was The Cost Of Eduardo Nunez?

In Cleveland Indians trade talk, the Tribe missed out on another trade target with the Twins sending Eduardo Nunez to the Giants. What would Nunez have cost the Tribe and who’s left to acquire?

Just days after being tied to Twins All-Star Eduardo Nunez, Minnesota sent their shortstop to the Giants for left-handed prospect Adalberto Mejia

It’s said that Indians manager Terry Francona really liked Nunez.

But what would it have cost the Indians to get Nunez? After analyzing the trade, I believe it would’ve taken a prospect such as Mike Clevinger.

Let’s take a closer look at the prospect the Twins got from the Giants.

Mejia, 23, has 2.81 ERA over 105 2/3 innings with 8.6 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 pitching between Class AA and AAA in 2016. It’s said he’s a near-ready fourth starter. He instantly becomes the Twins seventh-ranked prospect, and he began the year ranked as the 86th best prospect in all of baseball, per Baseball Prospectus.

Clevinger is currently the Indians seventh-ranked prospect. Like Mejia, Clevinger, is a near ready fourth or fifth starter right now. If someone in the Tribe’s current rotation goes down with injury Clevinger will likely be the first man called.

If Clevinger was being demanded, it’s hard to argue against the Indians saying “No.” Nunez would be a nice addition, but he’s 29. Yes, he’s under team control for next season, but the Indians may have to use Clevinger to fill more pressing needs.

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Had the Indians acquired Nunez, he probably would’ve played some left field and third base. The hot corner is a huge need with Juan Uribe‘s struggles, but with the hope Michael Brantley will return, Jose Ramirez playing more at third is likely–IF Brantley can come back.

Besides, catcher is the biggest concern right now. With Yan Gomes struggling and injured, Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez aren’t going to cut it. If Clevinger is going to be dealt, it should be for Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

If the Indians want to get outfield help, there’s still Rays super-utility man Steve Pearce. He’s affordable, making $4.75 million this year, and he’s having the best season of his seven-year big-league career, batting 312 average with a .912 OPS.

But if it was up to Pearce, the Florida native won’t be leaving Tampa–even though he’s not committed to the Rays past this season.

“We’ve just been hit with injuries and bad luck all year. If you would’ve told me this would be our record in the middle of the year, I’d tell you you were crazy. There’s no way our team is as bad as our record reflects. We have a really good team. I believe we still have a good team. We’re going to have a good team in the future. And I hope I stay,” Pearce told TampaBay.com.

Next: Rumor Mill: Indians Lack The Money To Make Big Trade

The chips are starting to fall into place and targets such as Lucroy, Jay Bruce, Will Smith and Tyler Thornburg are still out there. The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 1.

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Cleveland Indians Trade Talk: What Would Eduardo Nunez Have Cost The Tribe?

By Nick Dudukovich | Jul 29, 2016

In Cleveland Indians trade talk, the Tribe missed out on another trade target with the Twins sending Eduardo Nunez to the Giants. What would Nunez have cost the Tribe and who’s left to acquire?

More from Factory of Sadness